Paediatrics Flashcards
Tonsilitis?
Inflammation of the tonsils
Most common cause of tonsilitis
Viral infection
Most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis and most common alternative cause
Group A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes)
Alternative is Streptococcus pneumoniae
Causes of bacterial tonsillitis (5)
Streptococcus pyogenes Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus Influenzae Moraxella catarrhalis Staphylococcus aureus
Name the areas of lymphoid tissue in Waldeyer’s Tonsilar ring
Adenoid
Tubal tonsils
Palatine tonsils
Lingual tonsils
Epidemiology Tonsilitis
Most common aged 5-10
Another peak at 15-20
Tonsilitis presentation (3) + (4)
Fever
Sore throat
Painful swallowing
Poor oral intake
Headache
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Examination findings for tonsilitis
Red, inflamed, enlarged tonsils with/without exudates
What is the Centor criteria
Criteria estimating probability that tonsillitis is due to bacterial infection and will benefit from antibiotics
3 or more gives 40-60% bacterial tonsilitis
Centor criterias
Fever over 38
Exudates
No cough
Tender anterior cervical lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
Fever pain score?
Alternative to Centor criteria
2-3 gives 34-40%
4-5 gives 62-65%
Fever pain score criteria
Fever during previous 24 hours Purulence Attended within 3 days of onset Inflamed tonsils No cough/coryza
Important conditions to exclude in tonsilitis
Meningitis, epiglottitis, peritonsillar abscess
Tonsillitis management
Educate viral tonsillitis patients with safety netting on when to seek advise
Advise simple analgesia, paracetamol, ibuprofen
Consider antibiotics if centor more than greater to 3 and Fever pain to 4 (Penicillin V/Phenoxymethylpenicillin 10 days)
If V pen allergic, give clarithromycin
Tonsillitis complications (7)
Chronic tonsillitis Peritonsillar abscess/quinsy Otitis media Scarlet fever Rheumatic fever Post-Streptococcal glomerulonephritis Post-Streptococcal Reactive Arthritis
Quinsy?
Peritonsillar abscess - when there is bacterial infection with trapped pus, forming an abscess in the region of the tonsils.
Quinsy presentation (6) (3)
Sore throat Painful swallowing Fever Neck pain Referred ear pain Swollen tender lymph nodes
Trismus (unable to open mouth)
Change in voice (hot potato voice)
Swelling and erythema in area beside tonsils
Most common cause of quinsy (3)
Normally bacterial infection. Most common organism is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep), also commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and haemophilus influenzae.
Quinsy management (3)
Patients should be referred into hospital under the care of ENT team for incision and drainage of abscess under general anaesthetic.
Broad spectrum antibiotics (co-amoxiclav)
Some may give Steroids (Dexamethasone) to settle inflammation and help recovery
Tonsillectomy
Surgical removal of the tonsils
Tonsillectomy prevents tonsillitis?
Yes, but patients can still get sore throat.
Tonsillectomy complications (4)
Pain (Sore throat) lasts 2 weeks
Damage to teeth
Infection
Post-tonsillectomy bleeding
Tonsillectomy indications
Recurrent tonsillitis i.e.
7 or more in 1 year
5 or more in 2 years
3 or more in 3 years
Recurrent tonsillar abscesses (2 episodes)
Enlarged tonsils causing difficulty breathing, swallowing/ snoring
Post tonsillectomy bleeding management (6)
Call ENT registrar
Get IV access and send bloods including FBC, Clotting screen, Group and save and crossmatch
Keep child calm and give adequate analgesia
Sit child up and encourage to spit blood instead of swallowing
Make child nil by mouth (incase an anaesthetic and operation is required)
IV fluids for maintenance and resuscitation as required.
Otitis media?
Infection in the middle ear
Where does the middle ear sit between
Tympanic membrane (ear drum) and inner ear.
How does bacteria infect the middle ear?
Bacteria enter from the back of the throat through the eustachian tube.